28mm 1st thin large diameter Ms-APOQUALIA-G 28mm F2
Review and photo examples using the Ms-optics APOQUALIA 28mm F2-I with full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras
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Table of contents
Gallery
The following cameras were used to take the sample photos:
- LEICA M-P typ240
- LEICA T typ701
- SONY α7Sii
- α NEX-7
Click on the photo to enlarge
Review
1．Overview
The Apoqualia 28mm is a large-aperture lens with a focal length of 28mm and an f/2 maximum aperture, released by MS-Optics (Miyazaki Optical) in 2016. It boasts a compact body and a large aperture of f/2 and a focal length of 28mm.
Main specifications are listed below, with details provided in the table.
- F/2 Maximum Aperture
- Lens Construction: 4 groups, 6 elements, Gaussian type
- Aperture Blades: 10
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.8m
- Leica M Rangefinder Camera Rangefinder Coupling: 0.8m
- Hood: 28mm diameter, dedicated screw-on
- Lens Color Options: Silver, Black, Silver Rhodium, Classic Nickel
- Lens Length: 10mm
- Weight: 70g
2．Usability
To confirm the imaging capabilities of the Ms-APOQUALIA 28mm F2-I, the gallery includes sample images 1 through 4 taken with the LEICA M-P typ240 and SONY α7Sii, which are equipped with 35mm full-frame (full-frame) sensors.
As you can see from the sample images, when photographing a blue sky at full aperture, there is noticeable vignetting and peripheral bleeding.
As examples of images with APS-C size sensors, we have included results from the LEICA T typ701 and SONY α NEX-7.
Gallery images 5 through 7 show these, and because the peripheral areas are forcibly cut off in these images, the negative aspects of peripheral imaging with full-frame sensors are less noticeable.
This lens, which is about as thick as a body cap, is a good match for APS-C size sensor cameras and compact Micro Four Thirds cameras. When attached, it feels like you’re carrying a compact camera with an integrated lens, and it fits very comfortably into a camera bag.
This lens is generally designed to focus its performance on image quality at the center of the frame, and while there are some scenes where image quality at the edges is noticeably worse at full aperture, this improves to some extent by narrowing the aperture. Many consumer lenses aim to achieve uniform resolution across the entire image, even at full aperture. However, Ms-optics prioritizes compactness and brightness in its lenses, resulting in this specification.
As mentioned above, the loss of image quality at the edges is part of the design, so not understanding this could lead to the mistaken belief that the product is defective. Furthermore, since the lens concept is largely dependent on the sensibility of the designer, it’s best not to use it if it doesn’t suit your tastes.
When using a lens with its rear edge close to the sensor, the wavelength of light entering the sensor’s periphery can cause a color cast, as shown in the photo below, with blue skies turning a noticeable vermilion.
This phenomenon was not observed with the 14-megapixel sensor of the previous model, the α NEX-5, or the 16-megapixel sensor of its successor, the α NEX-6, so it appears to be a compatibility issue between the α NEX-7 sensor and this lens.
3．Summary
In conclusion , to sum up the APOQUALIA 28mm F2-I, its compact body and light weight make it a lens that suits small cameras well. Because the minimum focusing distance is long at 0.8m, you’ll need to use an auxiliary helicoid to shorten the minimum focusing distance if you want to get closer. The second and third generation lenses can get as close as 0.35m on their own, making them more versatile.
Although it is a Gaussian lens, the rear end of the lens is close to the sensor, so caution is advised as color casts may occur in the peripheral areas depending on the camera’s sensor.
Specifications, considerations, etc.
While image quality is largely a matter of preference, Apoqualia can have difficulty with peripheral areas, so the three-element PERAR offers better clarity and stability. It’s also a matter of preference, but while the Gaussian type, which has abundant peripheral light, isn’t bad, I prefer the PERAR’s sharp central image quality.
This lens has a long history, having been released in I, II, and III models, and each of the three generations has a different design. The II model in particular has a wide range of colors, including lacquered finishes.
In terms of performance, the I model has a minimum focusing distance of 0.8m, the same as the rangefinder coupling range of a rangefinder camera, while the II and III models maintain the same 0.8m rangefinder coupling range. In line with the popularity of mirrorless cameras, the lens can be extended out to 0.35m, allowing for close-up shooting with the correct focus position on cameras with live view display on the rear LCD and an electronic viewfinder.
In 2023, the fourth generation of the same series, the APOQUALIA 28mm F1.7, was released, with an aperture value of F1.7. This lens has the same lens configuration of 6 elements in 4 groups, but according to the specifications sheet that came with the lens, the central glass has been made thinner to make the lens brighter.
| Item | PERAR | APOQUALIA-1 | APOQUALIA-2/3 | APOQUALIA-4 |
| Focal length(mm) | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Max aperture | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1.7 |
| Min aperture | 22 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Aperture blade | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Lens Construction | 3 groups in 3 elements | 4 groups in 6 elements | 4 groups in 6 elements | 4 groups in 6 elements |
| Min distance(m) | 0.8 | 0.75 Rangefinder link is 0.9m to infinity. | 0.35 Rangefinder link is 0.8m to infinity. | 0.4〜0.6 0.8mまでカメラ距離計連動 |
| Length(mm) | 9 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 |
| Max diameter(mm) | 48.6 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 |
| Filter size(mm) | 19 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Weight(g) | 45 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| lens hood | Dedicated cylindrical screw type | Dedicated cylindrical screw type | Dedicated cylindrical screw type | Dedicated cylindrical screw type |
| lens mount | ライカM | LEICA_M | LEICA_M | LEICA_M |
| Release date | 2012 | 2016 | 2018 | 2023.6 |
| Price | ¥60,000 | ¥100,000 | ¥100,000 | ¥100,000 |
Reference links
- MK DIRECT（Ms-optics Official page）
- LEICA M-P typ240・Shige’s hobby
- LEICA T typ701・Shige’s hobby
- SONY α7Sii・Shige’s hobby
- SONY NEX-7・Shige’s hobby
Update history
- 2025.8.8
Affiliate links
- Please see the disclaimer regarding advertising here.
- Italicized links in the text are advertisement links that take you to other sites.
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